Boat Fire Off Of Santa Cruz Island In California Dozens Of People Feared Dead
A boat fire broke out early Monday morning on a commercial diving boat, and dozens have people are missing. About four people have been rescued, along with the captain of the boat, who is assisting the Coast Guard with the rescues.
The Coast Guard Said dozens of people are not accounted for, and there is a search being conducted now, with multiple agencies assisting. The boat was about 30 miles from Los Angeles in Ventura County. Reports are that those rescued were crew members from the boat, with only having minor injuries. The 75 foot Conception, was anchored at Santa Cruz Island, when the boat caught fire. Many of the people on board the boat, were sleeping in cabins below the deck, when the fire broke out.
Many Of The Unaccounted People Were Believed To Be Trapped Below Deck When The Fire Started
The distress call came into the Ventura County Fire Department (VFD) at 3:30 a.m. on Monday. When the firefighters arrived on scene, the boat was completely engulfed in fire. Captain Brian McGrath said they were immediately able to rescue five people that were in the water.
The VFD said that there are still some hot spots on the boat, but the main fire is now out. A source said the area that is being search for victims, is massive, and could take a considerable amount of time. McGrath said one issue they are dealing with, is that there is no solid number ‘of souls that were on the boat’.
Authorities are working on the list, so they know exactly who is accounted for and who is missing. However one of the crew members rescued said there were 34 people on the boat, besides the crew. The boat was anchored between Oxnard and Santa Barbara. The coroner’s office in Santa Barbara, said they ‘are preparing for a mass causality event’.
Law Enforcement Said Fog Is Hampering Search & Rescue For The Boat Fire Survivors
According to first responders on the scene the boat is completely destroyed and is being towed, for an examination. The boat was found on the north side of the island. There are several of these types of boats in this area which includes Chanel Islands.
Many of these boats take out large groups of people for diving expeditions. Labor Day is a busy day for these boats say sources, the boats are usually booked a year in advance. The home base for this specific boat is Santa Barbara Harbor. Senator Kamala Harris said, “Heartbroken over the news out of Santa Cruz. Grateful for the first responders and rescuers who are tirelessly working. They are making sure all persons are found, my prayers go out to the families”.
The boat is owned by ‘Truth Aquatics‘ and was only anchored in Santa Cruz overnight. A preliminary cause of the fire is oxygen tanks onboard the boat exploding. The five crew members that were rescued were in the main cabin, not below deck.